EVOLUTION

Evolution of the Rugby Ball

Sean Fagan

The Rugby Ball and its oval shape did not come about because the ball needed to be handled during a rugby game.

The shape was dictated by the pig's bladder that was inserted into a hand stitched leather casing which was used as the rugby ball.

It was only much later that rubber gained popularity and replaced the pigs bladder. In those early days it was necessary to ask for "volunteers" to inflate the ball for it was not a job that was sought after. The pigs bladder would be blown up while still in its very smelly ‘‘green state'' solely by lung power down the stem of a clay pipe which was inserted into the opening of the bladder.

In the 1880s the rugby ball was produced by manufacturers and described as oval, about eleven inches long, about nine inches across. 'It is light, hard-blown, of indiarubber, covered with a leather case, very accurately fitting, made in equal pieces cut in the long axis of the ball, smoothly and strongly sewn together.'

'In the centre four inches of one seam is a slit, through which the indiarubber bladder has been passed into the case. This slit has been very accurately laced up, and care has been taken to leave no tag of lacing hanging.'

The Rugby ball was originally much rounder and larger than it is today. Some even had a lace handle on the top to hold it!

As manufacturing processes improved, the football's shape could be manipulated to better suit the game. Soccer balls became rounder, allowing players to have far greater control when kicking the ball on the ground. Rugby footballs became more ovoid [shaped like an egg], making them easier to carry, handle and kick from the hand or place-kick. The footballs in Australian rules and gridiron too have evolved to suit their game.